Clamp for interlocking wires



(No Model.) I

- H.'POSTER.

CLAMP- POR IN-TEBLOCKING WIRES.

' I I 855% 1275 mesa? j I W J lit 8 Patented Aug. 29/1893.

UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

LEBBEUS H. FOSTER, 0F ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

CL AMP FOR INTERLOCKING WIRES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 504,157, dated August 29, 1893.

7 Application filed November 25,1892. Serial No. 453,038. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, Essence H. FOSTER, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Adrian, in the county of Lenawee and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps for Interlocking Wire, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. g

This invention consists in the peculiar construction of a plate for clamping intersecting wires, and further in the peculiar construction of a disk bent centrally to form a bearing for one wire, having two wings extending angularly therefrom, these wings being apertured to allow the second wire to pass through and heavy ears struck up to form leading in channels to the apertures, so that after the wires are crossed the disk may be engaged with both and the ears bent down upon the second wire locking them together. In doing this one wire is preferably crimped upon the other, adding to the security of the fastening, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a fence section made of intersecting wires se' cured together by my improved clamp. Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the clamp as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan of the blank. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the disk shaped ready to be applied. Fig. 5 is a plan showing the disk as applied before the ears are bent down. Fig. 6 is a section on line a: a: in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 2.

A is a disk of metal, preferably rectangular from which my clamp is formed. The disk is preferably first provided with apertures B,

' substantially oval in shape on opposite sides of the central diagonal line C, and with cuts D extending from the apertures to points substantially central or to contiguous sides of the disk, these cuts being substantially at oblique angles to the center line 0. The disk is then bent on the line C to form a bearing on this line for one of the intersecting wires E, which for convenience, Iwill callthe under wire. In bending the disk upon this line it forms wings F upon opposite sides, extending angularly from this bearing, throwing the apertures B in line across the bearing formed on the line C. Preferably at the same time with the disk is bent or struck up ears G formed by the cuts D so as to leave an open leading-in channel H from the edge of the disk to the apertures B. The parts being thus constructed, the two wiresE and I being crossed, the hearing on the line C of the disk is engaged with the under wire and the disk is moved toward the upper wire I with the leading-in slots or apertures toward that wire. The disk may be pushed along over the wire until the upper wire I has passed through the leading-in slots and has entered the apertures B, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Then by pounding, or by means of a suitable tool I close the leading-in apertures by bending down the ears G and preferably also crimping the upper wire, as shown at J. As soon as the leading-in slots are closed it is evident that the disk cannot move up and down because of its engagement upon the upper wire, and it cannot move laterally because of the engagement of the lower wire in the diagonal bearing formed by bending the disk. The end wire E will be'prevented from longitudinal movement in the disk by the crimping as shown.

My device is especially adapted for building fences as shown in Fig. 1, but it may be used for any purpose where intersecting wires are adapted to be secured together.

What I claim as my invention is- A clamp for intersecting wires consisting of a plate bent to form a central bearing, having apertures on opposite sides thereof, and having cuts extending from the apertures to the edge of the clamp forming leading in channels through which a wire is adapted to pass, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEBBEUS H. FOSTER. Witnesses:

GEO. W. AYERS, ALICE M. WILBER. 

